Bolly Wood Masala Brings the Spirit of India to Folsom

Oct 06, 2015 02:21PM
● Published by David Norby

Photo courtesy of the Harris Center

Journey to the Four Corners of India with Music and Dance

With a musical recipe of dynamic rhythm, dance, and spirituality, Bollywood Masala Orchestra and Dancers of India create a veritable feast of Indian sounds, featuring a fusion of Indian and Western instruments and bold interpretations of traditional Indian dance.

This innovative group of musicians and dancers represents a new step towards a bold vision in Indian live music and dance being presented to the world for the first time. Rahis Bharti, one of India’s greatest musical figures, and the Bollywood Masala Orchestra and Dancers- 20 of India’s most important artists- invite you on a lively musical journey from Rajasthan to Mumbai.

Bollywood Masala Orchestra and Dancers of India: Spirit of India performs on Friday, October 9, 2015 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are priced at $25-$49; Premium $55. Tickets are available online at www.harriscenter.net or from the Harris Center Ticket Office at 916-608-6888 from noon to 6 pm Monday through Saturday, and two hours before show time. Parking is included in the price of the ticket. Harris Center is located on the west side of Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom, CA, facing East Bidwell Street.

Bollywood Masala Orchestra is a unique show, combining for the first time a frenzied brass band and acoustic musicians, singers, female dancers, a fakir, and acrobats from Jaipur, Jodhpur, Sikar, Dhoad, Renwal, Khandela, Malikpur, Kunkanwali, Basada, and Mumbai. This amazing musical extravaganza combines traditional and contemporary music and with its mesmerizing rhythms and colorful costumes. This is truly a show to stimulate all your senses.

The Bollywood Masala Orchestra and Dancers of India started as a vision of Rahis Bharti, who wanted to capture the world of music, dance, dynamic rhythm and spirituality that characterizes the incredible India we know today. From an early age Bharti was captivated by both the rich traditions and modern interpretations of his country’s signature sounds and visions. To watch the orchestra and dancers perform is to experience the heart and soul of Indian sounds, with an assortment of bass drums, side drums, trombone, tabla, dholak, harmonium, and clarinet, among many others. The Bollywood Masala Orchestra and Dancers of India give an authentic taste of the richness and excitement of Indian culture.

Artistic Director, Rahis Bharti, belongs to a traditional family of musicians, caste from Rajasthan. He also boasts a well-established international reputation and has enchanted audiences world-wide. From an early age he was captivated by both the rich traditions and modern interpretations of India’s signature sound and vision. Rahis boasts a well-established international reputation, having performed with musicians like Mario Tronco of L'Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio, Esma Redzepova the “Gypsy Queen of Macedonia,” Flamenco en Route from Spain, the Swedish artist Sassa, Carmen Belgodere from Cinque So Corse, Canta u Populu Corsu from Corsica, and other notable musical artists from countries like Cuba, Africa, Tunisia, America and Italy. Over his career Bharti has travelled the world performing and has made each prestigious festival, concert hall or theatre into a lavish and courtly stage of his own imagining.

Fifth Anniversary Season of Great Shows. Up Close. In Folsom!

Now in its Fifth Anniversary Season, the Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake College brings the community together to share in cultural experiences featuring the work of artists from throughout the region and around the world. Built and operated by the Los Rios Community College District, the $50 million, state-of-the-art regional performing arts center boasts three intimate venues with outstanding acoustics, an art gallery, a recording studio, elegant teaching spaces, plenty of safe parking and all the other amenities of a world-class performing arts venue. Each year the Center hosts over 400 events attracting more than 150,000 annually.